Earlier this week, in my post Get Smart (About $4,000 Suits and $10,000 Rings), I wrote, “Ultra-high-end is a stronger industry sector, so I’ve embarked on a deliberate effort to offer more ‘if you have to ask, you can’t afford it’ 18K-gold signature pieces.” Variations of the line “If you have to ask the price,…
Business
Get Smart (About $4,000 Suits and $10,000 Rings)
I’ve written plenty about the classic small-business issue of economy of scale: the high cost of producing low quantity (and the even higher cost of producing low quality without a way to distribute the goods). My Huffington Post story, “The Agony and Ecstasy of Small Business,” offers the most concise explanation, but you can get…
In the News: Winners at the Olympics, Non-Winners in Fashion
Swimmer Michael Phelps won his 20th medal at the London Olympics yesterday, but one could argue that his 19th, earned on Tuesday, was a bigger moment. That’s when he became the most decorated Olympian of all time, passing the previous record-holder, Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals between 1956 and 1964. If you…
Nose to the Grindstone
Thanks to Ruth Graham at The Grindstone for interviewing me about all the things that weren’t in my business plan when I started designing jewelry! As you’ll see, I’m as plain-spoken as always — another taste of what you’ll get in The Bitchtastic Guide to Business™ that I’m writing. Check out the story here.
The Cost of Iced Coffee
One of the results of having your own business is that it educates you about how much it costs to make a product or offer a service. I’ve written about some of the issues that affect fine-jewelry manufacturing costs — and, as a result, retail prices — in my “Get Smart” series of posts. I…
What Wendy Wore: Neon-Pink Chris Benz to the Elly Awards
As I said in a recent post, I have worn neon-colored clothes since the 1980s. IF YOU MISSED MY HUFFINGTON POST PIECE ON NEON, CLICK HERE. When I saw this neon-pink-and-black Spring 2012 dress by designer Chris Benz last fall, I took a chance and ordered it. I don’t usually go for blousy tops, but…
Stacy Lomman’s Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod World
Gorgeous designer/blogger Stacy Lomman presented her Fall 2012 collection on February 16. The “Modern World” looks of this collection — her fourth — were inspired by ’60s Mod, especially Courrèges, who is a longtime fashion hero of Stacy’s. But the styles weren’t costume-like or vintage-looking. They’re modernized Mod, if you will. Here, let Stacy tell…
Recap: Rising Star, Lookbook Photo, Small (& Big) Biz
I know lot of people aren’t online on the weekends. So, now that you’re all back at work and looking to be unproductive, I figured I’d do a recap of my weekend posts. If you followed my tweets about my lookbook shoot last Wednesday, you can’t miss the first of photographer Shane LaVancher’s stunning pictures…
Jewel of the Month: Siobhan Ring With Mixed Metals
People often ask me if it’s okay to mix yellow and white metals. My answer? “Hell, yes!” I didn’t always have that mindset, though. I too grew up thinking jewelry had to be matchy-matchy. I don’t know where that fashion taboo against combining different-colored metals came from. One of the most famous jewelry designs in…
I’m a Fashion Group International Rising Star Finalist!
I’m thrilled to be a finalist for Fashion Group International‘s Rising Star Award in the fine jewelry category for the second year in a row. The finalists were announced yesterday in Women’s Wear Daily. Here is a scan of the article. Did you see that gorgeous blogger/designer Stacy Lomman is a finalist in the women’s…